BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse Partner to Advance Software-Defined Autonomous Flight

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. and ADELAIDE, South Australia, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Skyryse, the creator of SkyOS™, the world's first universal operating system for flight, and BAE Systems Australia, today announced a strategic partnership to advance software-defined autonomous flight applications.

The partnership brings together SkyOS, Skyryse's universal operating system for flight, with BAE Systems Australia's Vehicle Management System (VMS), which powers several advanced autonomous platforms, including in the land and air domains. Together, the companies will evaluate the integration of their technologies to pursue government, commercial and defense opportunities for next-generation rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.

SkyOS replaces conventional mechanical flight control systems with a software-defined architecture that supports piloted, optionally piloted, and autonomous flight within a single certifiable platform. Through the partnership, SkyOS will serve as the preferred flight operating system for joint projects with BAE Systems Australia.

"As government, commercial, and defense sectors look to modernize existing fleets while accelerating the adoption of autonomous capabilities, software is becoming the defining technology in aviation," said Mark Groden, founder and CEO of Skyryse. "SkyOS is uniquely positioned because it combines human-rated flight software with autonomous capabilities in a certifiable, software-defined platform. Together with BAE Systems Australia, we're exploring how that foundation can enable the next generation of optionally piloted and autonomous aircraft, including future clean-sheet designs."

"Partnering with Skyryse allows BAE Systems Australia to build on more than 40 years of experience developing sovereign autonomy technologies through our Vehicle Management System, while expanding opportunities in the rapidly evolving autonomous aircraft market," said Andrew Gresham, Managing Director of Defence Delivery at BAE Systems Australia. "Together, Skyryse's software-defined SkyOS and BAE Systems Australia's Vehicle Management System bring complementary capabilities that can help deliver the next generation of optionally piloted and autonomous aircraft for government and commercial customers."

The partnership reflects a broader shift toward software-defined aviation, where certifiable flight software enables both the modernization of existing aircraft and the development of next-generation autonomous platforms. Together, Skyryse and BAE Systems Australia plan to pursue opportunities spanning piloted, optionally piloted, and fully autonomous aircraft.

About Skyryse, Inc.
Founded in 2016, Skyryse® is an aviation technology company redefining how aircraft are operated to make flight safer, simpler, and more accessible. Its core technology, SkyOS™, is the world's first universal operating system for flight, enabling a new generation of software-defined aviation and powering its first aircraft, Skyryse One™. Skyryse partners with organizations across commercial, public safety, and defense sectors – including Air Methods, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Mitsubishi Corporation, and the U.S. Army, to bring advanced automation to existing aircraft and expand access to safe flight. Learn more at skyryse.com or visit YouTube to see Skyryse in action.

About BAE Systems Australia
BAE Systems Australia provides some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions, helping customers stay ahead of evolving threats  across air, maritime, land, surveillance, guided weapons and autonomy domains. As Australia's largest defence company, with more than 70 years of local experience, BAE Systems Australia serves, supplies and protects those who serve and protect us.

Melika Mizany: [email protected]

SOURCE Skyryse